Forests & Trees

Climate change is likely to alter the geographic distribution of the world's forests. The effects of climate change on forests in the U.S. and other parts of the world will depend not only on climatic factors but also on stresses from pollution (e.g., acid rain); future trends in forest management practices, including fire control and demand for timber; and land-use change. It is difficult to separate the influence of climate change from these other pressures, which are and will continue changing due to human activities.

Climate change effects on forests are likely to include changes in forest health and productivity and changes in the geographic range of certain tree species. These effects can alter timber production, outdoor recreational activities, water quality, wildlife and rates of carbon storage.

Among many other reasons, forests (and the trees that make them up) are vital in combating climate change because of carbon sequestration (the process through which CO2 from the atmosphere is absorbed by trees, plants and crops). (Source: EPA / Photo: Flickr)